Man City sign midfielder Gundogan on a four-year deal

Manchester, June 2 (IANS) English football club Manchester City on Thursday announced it has signed German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in a four-year deal.

The 25-year-old is a versatile midfielder and is expected to provide incoming manager Pep Guardiola with plenty of options. City have reportedly paid a fee of around 20 million pounds ($28.8 million) for his services.

“I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City,” Gundogan was quoted as saying by the Manchester City website.

“When I learned of City’s interest my heart was set on coming here and things have moved very quickly.I have loved my time with Borussia Dortmund and I would like to thank the club and the supporters for the five very happy years I spent there.”

“They gave me a platform to play on and I became a better player because of the belief, patience and trust they showed in me.”

Gundogan also said he is looking forward to working with Guardiola, who has been hugely successful with clubs like FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“Now I have a new challenge and that is to achieve great things with City. The opportunity to work with a coach like Pep Guardiola is something I am really looking forward to and I am flattered to be the first signing the club has made this summer,” he said.

“I can promise the City fans I will give everything to help us win titles both in England and the Champions League. These are exciting times.”

Gundogan made 157 appearances over the past five seasons for German club Borussia Dortmund and has won 16 caps for Germany, scoring four goals.

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Ilkay is an excellent addition to our team and we are delighted to have him on board.”